I’m a Young God, Won’t You Raise Me? — Chapter 29

Chapter 29

Clack.

The‍⁠ metallic wings folded⁠ shut with a sharp snap.

Je⁠‌ Hyuno landed on‌‌ the rooftop with⁠‌ a backpack hanging⁠⁠ from one hand.⁠ Several carabiners were⁠⁠ still attached to⁠ it, although only‌ one had survived‍‌ and remained hooked to his metallic‌⁠ hand.

After‍ setting the backpack‌ on the ground,⁠‌ he tilted his‌ head slightly.

“Lieutenant⁠‍‍ Colonel.”

Kwak‍‌ Hanmuk, who had⁠ been waiting for‍ him while eating⁠ potato chips on‌⁠‍ the rooftop, brushed‍‌ the crumbs off‌ his hands.

Mo‌‌ Haein, who was standing beside him,‍ simply greeted him‍‍‍ with a slight‍⁠‍ nod before picking‌ up the backpack⁠ and heading down‍ the emergency staircase.‌

She⁠‍ had to deliver‍⁠ the collected items‌⁠⁠ to Lee Gaon⁠ as quickly as possible.

Kwak⁠ Hanmuk gave Je‍ Hyuno a brief‍‍‌ report.

“During‌ the fight against‌‌ the underground area’s‌ boss, Han Goyo’s‌ eyes turned golden. Captain Mo Haein‌⁠ had already reported⁠ it earlier, and‌ it matches the‌ same phenomenon I witnessed in the‍⁠ Yellow Zone.”

After‍⁠ a brief silence,‍‌ Je Hyuno’s rough⁠⁠‌ voice broke it.‍

“Just‌ golden?”

He‌ removed his protective‍ goggles and pushed‌ them up onto⁠‍ his head, revealing⁠‌ his eyes.

“Or the same color‌ as mine?”

Kwak⁠‍ Hanmuk stared for‍⁠ a moment at those intensely golden‍ pupils that contrasted‌‌ with his dark⁠⁠‍ violet irises before⁠‍ answering with complete certainty.

“They⁠ were exactly the⁠ same color as⁠‍ the Lieutenant Colonel’s‌ pupils.”

He‍ had already seen‌‍‍ them twice, so‌‌ there was no⁠ way he could‌‌‌ be mistaken.

There⁠ was one difference,⁠ however.

“However,⁠ in Han Goyo’s‌‍ case, it wasn’t‍‌ just a temporary⁠ change in color.⁠ It was as‌ if they were‌ emitting light.”

“They⁠‍‍ were glowing?”

Glowing?‌

No.‍⁠

That wasn’t the right‌ word for what‍‍⁠ he had seen.⁠

Kwak‌ Hanmuk recalled the‌⁠‍ scene and searched‍‌ for the closest⁠‌⁠ expression he knew.⁠⁠

“I’d say they were radiating a glow.”‍

Upon⁠ hearing that description,⁠‌ Je Hyuno smiled as his eyes narrowed.

He‍ put his goggles⁠‌ back on.

“I’d‍‍‍ like to see‌⁠ it with my⁠‍ own eyes. I wonder what it‍ would take to‌‌ make it happen⁠ again.”

“You‍ can’t kill him.”‍

“I‍‍ know.”

Just‌ as he received‍‌ that less-than-reassuring response⁠‌ from Je Hyuno.⁠‍

Ding.‍‍

A system window appeared.‍⁠⁠

◆ Main Quest: Defend‌ the Laboratory.

Defend‌ the laboratory from⁠ the zombies for 3 days. (0/3)‍‍‍

“Do‍ you see it?‍‍‌ Mr. Gunbam, do‌⁠⁠ you see it?‍ Are you seeing‌ this? It’s incredible…”⁠‍

After‍ finishing the tests,‍ Lee Gaon trembled⁠ with excitement as‍ she shouted at‍⁠‍ me.

“Mr.‌ Gunbam, you were‍⁠ the cure!”

She‍ immediately began talking‍‌⁠ at breakneck speed‌⁠ about serums, antibodies,‌‍‌ and a whole‌ bunch of scientific terms that I could barely understand.⁠⁠

I didn’t understand even⁠ a quarter of it.

But⁠⁠ I did understand‍ what mattered.

My‌ blood was the‌⁠⁠ cure for the‌ Pandora zombie virus.⁠⁠

“Snif…⁠ Mr. Gunbam…”

In‌ the end, Lee Gaon burst into‌ tears.

It⁠‍ seemed that all⁠‌ the terrible memories‍‍ Tak Jucheol and⁠⁠ Paeng Sangdo had‍ left her with had been completely‍‍ washed away.

Her⁠ tear-streaked face was⁠ filled with joy.⁠

Of‌⁠‌ course, I was⁠ happy too.

But‌ honestly.

I still hadn’t fully‍⁠‍ processed it.

I had never imagined⁠‍ things would end‍ up unfolding this‌‌ way.

“First,‌ I’m going to‍ make two doses‌ of the treatment.‍⁠ I’ll prepare them⁠‍ at the same‍‍ time as the⁠ vaccine.”

“How‍⁠⁠ much blood do‍‍ you need?”

“At‍⁠ least about 400‍‌‌ milliliters…”

Lee⁠ Gaon spoke cautiously.⁠

“If‍ you were in‍⁠ normal condition, it‍ wouldn’t be a problem, but given⁠ your current state,⁠⁠ after the blood draw you’ll probably⁠ feel quite weak.”‍

She⁠ was right.

I had gone far‌ too long without‌ getting proper rest.‍‌

‘But‍ we can’t afford⁠‌ to wait either.’‍⁠

The⁠‌ most important thing‌‌‍ was to develop‌ the treatment as⁠‍‌ quickly as possible.‍‍

I held out my⁠⁠‌ arm without resisting.‌

Lee⁠ Gaon stared almost‍‍‌ greedily at the‌ blue veins running⁠‍⁠ along my forearm.‍

She⁠‌ swallowed and murmured‌ as if entranced.‌

“I’ll‌⁠ prepare the blood‍‍ draw.”

…Thank goodness I had⁠‍ earned her trust‌⁠ beforehand.

If‍ it had been‍ Tak Jucheol or‌⁠⁠ Paeng Sangdo instead‌‍‍ of me.

They‍ probably would have‌‌ amputated one of‍‌ my arms already.⁠‍

Within‌ seconds, she had⁠ prepared a 16-gauge⁠‍‍ needle, a blood‍⁠⁠ bag, and everything else she needed‍ before having me⁠ sit on an‌ improvised cot in‍ one corner of⁠‌ the laboratory.

“I’ll‌‍ be done in‍ ten minutes.”

Then‌‌ she disappeared while‌‌⁠ frantically entering data‌‍⁠ into a tablet.‌

I silently watched as⁠ my blood slowly⁠ filled the bag.‍⁠

I still couldn’t quite believe any of‌‌ this was real⁠ when.

Ding.‌

Another⁠‌ system window appeared.‍

◆ Main Quest: Wha—?!⁠‍ Defend the laboratory‌⁠ from the zombie⁠⁠ hordes for 3 days.

It’s⁠ incredible! You’ve found a cure that‍‍ shouldn’t exist.

This‌ extraordinary achievement will⁠ delight Akasha.

However,‍ one final trial‌⁠ still remains before‌ you reach your‍⁠⁠ own True Ending.‍‌

During⁠ the three days‌ required to manufacture⁠‌‌ the vaccine and‌ the cure, you‌‌ must protect the⁠‌‌ laboratory from the‌ endless zombie hordes that will attack‌ every night.

This⁠ time too? Will you succeed? This‍‌‍ time too? Success!⁠ Success! You swear‍⁠ you’ll achieve it⁠ again.

(Completed‍ defenses: 0/3)

Although‍‌‌ there were a few strange things⁠ mixed in, it‍⁠ was still a Main Quest I recognized.

It‌⁠ was the infamous‌⁠ defense mission known⁠ in Dead Zone‌ Deal as the⁠‍⁠ “Three Days of‌‌ Death,” also nicknamed‍⁠⁠ the “Ending Cutter”⁠ because it kept countless players from ever reaching the⁠ end of the‌‌⁠ game.

‘Does‌‌ it start tonight?’‌

Since‌⁠‍ the period lasted‍‌ from dusk until‌ dawn the following‍ day, there was‍ barely any time⁠ left to prepare.⁠‍

I wished I had⁠‌⁠ managed to get⁠‍ a few more‍ submachine guns.

Still,⁠ I wasn’t too‍⁠ worried.

After all, our team⁠ included the person⁠‌ best suited for‌ a large-scale battle‌ like this.

As‍ I studied the‌‌ system window and‍ considered the most‌ efficient strategy, a shadow suddenly fell⁠‌ over me.

‘Why‍⁠ did it suddenly get so dark…?’‌

I looked up without‍‍⁠ thinking and nearly‌‌ jumped.

A pair of completely black protective goggles‍ was staring down⁠ at me.

“Lieutenant⁠‍ Colonel Je…”

I placed a hand‍⁠‌ over my chest,‍‌‌ trying to calm‌ my racing heart.⁠

Normally,‍‍ jump scares didn’t‌⁠ even frighten me.

But⁠ when Je Hyuno‍ suddenly appeared with‍ those goggles right⁠ in front of‌ my face, the‍ scare felt completely⁠ real.

The spot where the⁠ needle had been‌ inserted into my⁠‌ arm started aching.‌‌⁠

Looking‌‌⁠ at my reflection in his goggles,‍⁠ I asked,

“When‍ did you get‍ here?”

I wasn’t actually expecting‌‌‌ an answer.

The⁠ cold air coming⁠ off him made⁠ it obvious that‌⁠ he had just⁠ arrived.

‘Judging‌‍ by the next‍ mission that appeared,‌‌ it seems he‍ delivered the items‍⁠‍ to Lee Gaon‍ properly as well.’⁠⁠

Assuming I had already⁠‌ received my answer,‍ I checked that⁠ the blood draw was still proceeding‍ correctly.

Then‌‌ I looked past‌‍‌ Je Hyuno’s shoulder.‍⁠

Mo‍ Haein and Kwak‍ Hanmuk were walking‍‌ over while talking‌ to each other.⁠‍⁠

“Recruit.”‍

Mo‍‌ Haein asked with‍‍ a serious expression,

“Have‌‍‍ you already seen the mission window?”‍‍

“Yes.⁠ The zombies will‍ start arriving tonight.”‍

I briefly explained the⁠ next mission to‍⁠ my superiors.

When⁠ I mentioned that‍ the attacks would‌⁠ only last from⁠ dusk until dawn,‌‌‍ Mo Haein let⁠⁠ out a visible‌ sigh of relief.‌

Apparently,⁠‌ she had thought⁠ we would have⁠ to endure zombies‌ continuously for three‌ straight days, regardless⁠ of whether it⁠ was day or⁠ night.

She⁠⁠ then spoke about‍ her own situation.⁠‍

“I won’t be able⁠ to participate on‍ the last day.”‌‌

The‍‌ day after tomorrow,⁠⁠ Mo Haein would‌‍ become a complete⁠⁠‍ zombie.

More⁠‌‍ precisely, the transformation‍ would finish at‌ dawn, when the‍ second battle ended.

But‍ there was no‌ way to know‍ what unexpected situations‍⁠ might arise.

To⁠ be safe, it‍ would be best‍‌ for her to⁠⁠ withdraw from the⁠⁠ battle during the⁠‍ second engagement.

After‍‍ explaining my opinion,‍ I added,

“I⁠ don’t think we’ll‌ be lacking combat‌‍ power. We have‍‍ Lieutenant Colonel Je.”‌⁠

The⁠⁠ real problem was‌ Kwak Hanmuk’s zombification.⁠

Today‌ was only the‍ first day since‍ the infection, so‍ he could still‍‍ control himself.

But tomorrow it would‌ be much harder⁠⁠ to contain his‍⁠ aggression.

Even⁠‍ if he could⁠‌ normally remain calm,‍‍ his instincts would‍ be much stronger in the middle⁠‍‍ of a battle.‍

Under‌ those circumstances, it‌‌‍ would be practically‍ impossible for him‌ not to try‌‍‍ to attack me.

“So‌ I think the‍ best option would‌⁠ be to divide⁠‍⁠ the laboratory into‌⁠ sectors.”

As⁠‌⁠ the only human‌ and the weakest‍ member of the‌ group, I would‍‍ stay on the⁠‌‍ rooftop as the‍‍ rear guard, using‍ firearms.

Je‌ Hyuno would cover⁠ the central front.⁠

Kwak‍ Hanmuk and Mo‌ Haein would protect‍‌‍ both flanks.

Since‍ the zombification had increased their strength‍⁠⁠ and endurance, that‌ formation should work‌‍ well.

“But,‍ Goyo.”

Kwak‍‌ Hanmuk, who had⁠‌ been listening to⁠ me attentively, suddenly‌‌ interrupted.

“Why⁠ are they drawing‌ your blood?”

Only⁠‌‌ then did I realize I still‌‍ hadn’t explained the‍‌ most important part.‍

While⁠ I was thinking about how to‌ tell them, Lee‌‌ Gaon appeared at⁠‍ just the right⁠‌ moment.

“I’m‍ going to remove‌‌ the needle.”

Despite‍ having two zombies⁠‍ and a man wearing unsettling black‌⁠ goggles standing in⁠‌ front of her,⁠‌ she approached without‌⁠ showing the slightest‍ fear.

She⁠‍‍ checked the blood‍ bag and skillfully‍‌ removed the needle‍ from my arm.‌

There was no longer‍‌ any fear in‌‌ her eyes.

What‌ shone in them‌‌ was something much⁠⁠ closer to madness.⁠⁠

The excitement of discovering‌‍ a cure seemed‌‍ to have eclipsed⁠‍ every other emotion.⁠

Kwak‌ Hanmuk watched Lee⁠ Gaon behave like‍‍ a completely unhinged‍ scientist before asking‍ again.

“Miss‌⁠‍ Researcher. Why are you drawing his⁠‌ blood?”

As‌⁠ if she had‍ been waiting precisely‌‍⁠ for that question,‍⁠ Lee Gaon answered,⁠⁠‌ overflowing with excitement.‍‌

“Mr.‍‌ Gunbam’s blood is‌ the cure for‍ the Pandora virus!”⁠

The moment she uttered‍ those words.

Kwak‌⁠ Hanmuk’s and Mo‍‍ Haein’s expressions instantly‍ hardened.

Lee⁠‍‌ Gaon, however, seemed completely incapable of⁠ noticing that two‍ zombies were staring⁠‌ at her with‍‍‌ truly terrifying expressions.

Wearing‌‍‌ a smile completely intoxicated by excitement,‍ she walked away‍ hugging the blood‍ bag.

The moment she disappeared⁠ into the distance.⁠⁠

Mo Haein shot me a glare.

“Recruit.”⁠⁠

Her‌⁠‍ voice was as‍⁠ cold as a snowstorm.

“Come‌‍ with me. We‍ need to talk.”‍

***‌‍‌

I got scolded.

A lot.

Suppressing⁠⁠ a sigh, I recalled the barrage‌⁠ of lectures that‌ Mo Haein and‍⁠‌ Kwak Hanmuk had⁠⁠ both thrown at‍ me.

“Minimize⁠ contact between NPCs‍‌‍ and items. That’s‌ the basic rule⁠ when entering a Trial. Didn’t they‍ teach you that?‍ Wake up, Recruit.‌ What the hell‍‌ do you think‍ Trials are?”

“Gunbam‌⁠ is seriously going‌ to drive me insane. How can‌ you hand your‍‌ blood over to an NPC so casually? What if‍ she did something strange with it?‍ What if she‍⁠ only pretended to⁠ draw your blood‌ so she could⁠‍ inject you with‌‍ something else? Huh? What the hell‍‍ were you thinking,⁠ letting her stick⁠ a needle into‍‌ you so calmly?‍ Damn it, this‍ is insane.”

From⁠‍ the very beginning,‌ they and I had viewed things in completely different‌ ways.

I had played the⁠‌‍ Archive World games‌ and, because of‍‌ that, I felt a great deal‍ of affection for‌‌ the NPCs inside‍⁠⁠ the Trials.

It was only natural⁠‌⁠ that I treated⁠ them kindly.

But to Mo Haein‍⁠‌ and Kwak Hanmuk.‌

The⁠⁠ Trials were a disaster that had‍‌‍ come from outer‍ space.

From their point of⁠⁠ view, my behavior‍ was the equivalent‍ of sticking my‍‌⁠ hands into a fire and calmly‍‍ saying,

“It’s⁠‌ nice and warm.‍ It doesn’t burn‍ that much.”

No⁠ matter how much‌ I insisted it wasn’t dangerous, I would never be‌‍ able to convince⁠⁠ them.

Even‌ so.

I also had to‍‌‌ take everything they‌‌⁠ had told me‌ very seriously.

None‍ of their criticisms‍‌ were wrong.

‘I‍‍ really am doing‌ reckless things.’

If‍‍ I had acted completely rationally, I never would have‍‌ left the Chef‍ Zombie alive in‍‌ the underground area.‌

Nor‌ would I have‌⁠ tried to develop a cure.

Much‌ less hand my‌⁠ blood over to‌‍‍ an NPC to‍‌ make it happen.

Looked‍‌‍ at objectively.

All‌ of that was‍ genuine madness.

But.‌

Even‌‌ if I could⁠ go back in‍‍ time, I would⁠‌ make exactly the⁠ same decisions.

Because‍ I knew Lee‌⁠ Gaon, Lee Seon,‍‍ the Chef Zombie,⁠‌‍ Princess Tarantella, and‍⁠ Smiley.

They‍⁠ didn’t.

In‍⁠ any case, once‌ the vaccine and⁠ the cure were‍⁠⁠ finished, the captains‌ would probably lower⁠ their guard a little as well.‌‌‌

Thinking‍ that I needed‌ to successfully get through the next‌‌ three days of⁠‍ fighting, I finished‍ assembling my weapon.‌‌

The‌ sun was already⁠ setting.

While⁠ I arranged the weapons exactly as‍‌ Kwak Hanmuk had‍‌‌ instructed, a figure‌⁠ standing atop the⁠ rooftop railing naturally caught my attention.‌⁠

Je‍‌‌ Hyuno was watching⁠ the setting sun‌⁠‍ with his metallic‍⁠ hand hanging at‌⁠⁠ his side.

‘Now‍⁠ that I think about it, Lieutenant‌ Colonel Je didn’t‍ say a single‌⁠‍ thing.’

Although,‌⁠ come to think‍ of it.

It‍‍⁠ would have been‌‍ much stranger if⁠‌ he had.

I approached him with‍ the same caution‍⁠ I would use⁠ when approaching an‍‍ extremely dangerous wild‌ animal.

“Lieutenant‍‌ Colonel Je.”

He⁠ turned his head‍ toward me.

^ ^

A smiling emoticon appeared⁠‌ on his goggles.‌⁠

He seemed to be‍ in an excellent⁠⁠ mood.

He⁠‍ was even lightly‍‍ moving his metallic⁠ hand, which emitted‍‍ faint clicking sounds.‌

“Since⁠‌ I’ll be on‌⁠⁠ the rooftop monitoring‍‍ the progress of⁠ the battle, if‍ Captain Mo or Captain Kwak need‌ support, I’ll let‍ you know through‌‍ the system window.‍‌ And since most of the zombies‌‌ will probably concentrate⁠ on your position,‌⁠ considering that we’ll‌ have to fight‍ for three consecutive nights, if at‌‍ any point it‌⁠ becomes too much‍ for you…”

“Goyo.”

That sudden call made‌ me stop mid-sentence.‍

No.⁠‌‌

It‍ was more as‍⁠ if my breath‌ had caught before⁠ I could continue‌⁠ speaking.

“You‍ said you knew. (Zero).”

“……”⁠‌

“Then⁠‍ three days?”

A laugh that sounded⁠⁠ as though it⁠‍‍ came from the⁠ depths of a dark abyss reached‌‍ my ears.

With⁠‍ a voice overflowing⁠ with excitement, Je‍‍ Hyuno whispered,

“Let’s‍‍ finish it tonight.”‍